After driving over three and a half hours from Springfield, we pulled into the driveway of the Royal Victorian Manor in Woodstock, Illinois around 6:30pm on July 11, 2014. We had reservations for a special room on the second floor of the Bed and Breakfast and my photographer had an entire agenda of sites that he wanted to see in the quaint northern Illinois hamlet. What was so special about Woodstock? It was the primary filming location for the 1993 movie Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
After owner Karla Stewart-Martin led us to our room, which was the one that Bill Murray would’ve occupied had the interior of the manor been used in the movie, we quickly unpacked before we walked into downtown Woodstock; or rather, Punxsutawney. We had wanted to get in a few movie sites before dark. Even though I didn’t stand on any or pose near any of the film location sites for photographs, I was able to see the places from the open camera case.
Known as the ‘Cherry Street Inn’ in the movie Groundhog Day, the Royal Victorian Manor was where we stayed on July 11, 2014. Our room was the narrow bay window on the second story just to the left of the white archway.
During our stay at the Royal Victorian Manor, I spent the night on the table in front of the bay window.
Phil Connors stood in front of the same window at the Cherry Street Inn. The interior of the Royal Victorian Manor was not used in the movie; only the exterior made it to the silver screen.
Located a short distance down the street from the Royal Victorian, the piano teacher’s house was our first film site we visited. Did Tom want piano lessons? Surely not for a thousand dollars!
“I’d like a piano lesson, please. I kind of want to get started; I can pay you a thousand dollars.”
We walked to the bowling alley where Phil Connors met up with Ralph and Gus.
“What would you do if you were stuck in one place and everyday was exactly the same?”
“Some guys would look at this glass and say that glass is half empty. Other guys would say that glass is half full. I bet you are a glass is half empty kind of guy, am I right?”
A place that had a huge part in the movie was the Tip Top Café; which was changed to the Taqueria La Placita. On that Friday evening, we did not go inside for dinner.
Phil Connors and Rita Hanson walk from Gobbler’s Knob to the Tip Top Café for a coffee and chat.
Around the corner from the café was the alley where Phil Connors found the dying old man.
“Hello father, let’s get to someplace warm.”
The Woodstock Opera House was used as the ‘Pennsylvanian Hotel’ where Rita and cameraman Larry stayed while in Punxsutawney.
The Opera House was featured in numerous scenes throughout the movie, including when Phil, Rita, and Larry first arrived in Punxsutawney.
That’s Larry’s white van as the trio arrived at the Pennsylvanian Hotel in Punxsutawney near the start of the movie.
The tower of the Opera House was featured when Phil Connors jumped to his death in an effort to escape the Groundhog Day loop.
Phil Connors jumps to his death from the tower of the Pennsylvanian Hotel; only to awaken in bed the next morning on February 2nd – Groundhog Day.
For us, Saturday July 12, 2014 was Groundhog Day. At precisely 6:00am, the alarm clock sounded in our room with Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe” playing; albeit from the queued song list on my photographer’s I-phone. That morning, Tom did his best to duplicate some of the scenes from the movie, although Vicki was not as thrilled with the replications. As a matter of fact, when the movie is played on the television at home, she usually says: “Oh no, not Groundhog Day again. Can we watch something else? That movie never ends and it drives me crazy. Let’s see if Chip and Jo-Jo are on!”
Since the Royal Victorian Manor was a Bed and Breakfast, we had an amazing breakfast and another look at the Manor’s beautiful interior. Husband and wife owners Everton Martin and Karla Stewart-Martin were tremendous hosts and our stay at the Royal Victorian was an experience we will never forget. After bidding farewell to our hosts, we spent the rest of the morning taking in Woodstock and its Groundhog Day film locations.
We saw a handful of sites the evening before, shortly after we checked into our room. But the following morning, on Saturday, we definitely saw our shadow. So sit back and enjoy the photos of Punxsutawney, or Woodstock; because after all, “It’s Groundhog Day” – in July!
“Then put your little hand in mine; There ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb. Babe; I got you babe.” As our alarm clock struck 6:00am, the soothing voices of Sonny and Cher filled our room. Vicki was under the covers to the right and wasn’t thrilled with the early wakeup tune or the photo session.
“Okay campers, rise and shine; and don’t forget your booties because it’s cold out there.”
The view out of our room’s window really brought the movie to life. It was almost as though we could see the townspeople of Punxsutawney as they headed for Gobbler’s Knob.
When Phil Connors opened the curtains in his room, he was offered the same view we had – minus the snow.
Not overly thrilled with the 6:00am wakeup call, Vicki made her way downstairs at about 7:00am. I had to believe that ‘I Got You Babe’ was still playing inside her head.
Phil Connors as he walks down the stairs on the morning of Groundhog Day.
As breakfast was being prepared, Karla and Everton chit-chatted with Vicki in the dining room.
Phil Connors chit-chats with Mrs. Lancaster in the dining area before he headed out for the festivities. “Did you sleep well, Mr. Connors?” “I slept alone, Mrs. Lancaster.”
The main relaxation area for guests was beautiful, but unlike the movie, that room did not feature a television. So much for watching Jeopardy!
The Jeopardy answer was: Seneca is the largest of these lakes in West-Central New York. “What are the Finger Lakes?” Phil Connors was the Jeopardy pre-cursor to Ken Jennings.
Karla loved to photograph her guests in the entrance archway of the Royal Victorian Manor. At least Vicki didn’t replicate the movie scene there with a hard smack to Tom’s cheek.
Rita winds up to slap Phil in the face for being…well, for just being Phil Connors.
Groundhog Day in July – it’s still just once a year, isn’t it?
“Excuse me, where’s everybody going?” “To Gobbler’s Knob. It’s Groundhog Day.” “It’s still just once a year, isn’t it?”
Everton Martin, owner of the Royal Victorian Manor, watched as his wife Karla captured a few images of the Watson’s.
Phil Connors as he leaves the Cherry Street Inn. Phil was headed for Gobbler’s Knob and his television broadcast of the Groundhog Day celebration.
In the center of Woodstock Town Square, Tom posed on the gazebo. With Vicki taking the photo, he had no one to dance with.
At nightfall of Groundhog Day, Phil and Rita dance on the gazebo.
“Zachary? Zachary Taylor? Lincoln High School? I sat next to you in Mrs. Walsh’s English class.”
“Nancy? Nancy Taylor? Lincoln High School? I sat next to you in Mrs. Walsh’s English class.”
Although Tom wasn’t stuffing his face with cake at the Tip Top Café, he did manage to grab a bite to eat before we left Woodstock.
“I’m going to stay here and finish.” “I thought you hated this town?” “No, it’s beginning to grow on me.”
“Why can’t we replicate an episode of ‘Fixer Uppers’ instead of that damned Groundhog Day movie?”
“I like to see a man of advancing years throwing caution to the wind. It’s inspiring in a way.” “My years aren’t advancing as fast as you might think.”
Tom waited to be attacked by insurance salesman “Needle nose” Ned Ryerson.
“Needle Nose Ned, Ned the Head. C’mon buddy, Case Western High. Ned Ryerson, I did the whistling belly button trick at the high school talent show. Bing!”
Even though Tom watched his step, it still ended up being a doozy. TJ likes to walk in the footsteps of Presidents. Tom walked in the footsteps of Phil Connors.
“Watch out for that first step – it’s a dooooozy!”
When Phil Connors brought his date to this theater on February 2nd, the movie that was playing was Heidi II. Oh how times have changed!
“It’s like I said, I love this film. I’ve seen it over a hundred times.” “Phil?” “I told you, call me Bronco.” “Sorry Bronco.”
Woodstock was the perfect Punxsutawney as the small northern Illinois hamlet was quiet, quaint, and quite the movie setting. It was about 1:00pm and time for us to head for Chicago – which likely wouldn’t be quiet and quaint. It would, however, be another perfect place for a movie setting. Which movie am I talking about? Let’s just say it’s Ferris, I mean Thomas Jefferson’s Day Off!
Thank you to our hosts and owners of the Royal Victorian Manor in Woodstock, Illinois – Everton Martin and Karla Stewart-Martin. “Will you be checking out today, Mr. Watson?” “Chance of departure today, 100 percent.”
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
One thought on “21: GROUNDHOG DAY IN JULY”
It was fun to read about and to see photos of the town of Woodstock, Illinois. Staying at the Royal Victorian Manor was a great idea. And you had to wake up to I Got You Babe at 6:00 am! If I get to that area, I will certainly pay a visit.
It was fun to read about and to see photos of the town of Woodstock, Illinois. Staying at the Royal Victorian Manor was a great idea. And you had to wake up to I Got You Babe at 6:00 am! If I get to that area, I will certainly pay a visit.